Details

• United States of America
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

-) Make yourself thoroughly familiar with all requirements from both WU Vienna and Emory University. -) Actively connect with students who are also going to Emory or who have already completed their exchange there. In addition, try to connect with Emory students directly—Vienna is a very popular destination among Emory students, and in the upcoming semester (SS26), around ten Emory students will be coming to Vienna. This offers a great opportunity to exchange experiences and build early connections. -) The Exchange Information Sheet provided by Emory is the most reliable tool for staying on track with deadlines and administrative requirements—use it as your primary reference throughout the process. -) Be patient: the exchange process is long and involves a significant amount of paperwork. It is therefore crucial to complete all tasks that can be handled independently of Emory as early as possible, such as fulfilling English language requirements or arranging housing if you plan to live off campus.

2. Accommodation

Around 90% of exchange students choose to live on campus. However, a friend from WU and I decided to live off campus in a private apartment located approximately 10 minutes away from Emory University. We found our accommodation through Airbnb. Each of us had a private bedroom, while the kitchen and bathroom were shared. The neighborhood was quite nice and safe. There was a bus stop about a five-minute walk away with access to the Emory shuttle. While the shuttle is officially scheduled to run every 10–15 minutes, it can be less reliable—especially in the evenings, when wait times may extend to up to an hour. Therefore, it is extremely important to download the Passio GO app early on and become familiar with how the shuttle system works. The area itself was relatively quiet, and there were a few restaurants within walking distance, which was very convenient. In my experience, Airbnb is one of the best options for finding off-campus accommodation, as many landlords in Atlanta require a minimum lease of six months. Although there are also listings on Facebook Marketplace, I personally did not have much success there. If you decide to live off campus, it is essential to start looking for accommodation as early as possible. That said, living on campus is always a reliable option, and there is usually sufficient housing available for exchange students. Sharing apartments near the university is also very common.

3. Academic life at host university

Even though Emory is often described as a small university, the campus is actually quite large and very beautiful, while still remaining fully walkable. The only exception is Clairmont Campus, an on-campus housing area where many students live; from there, students typically rely on the Emory shuttle bus. Fortunately, the shuttle runs very frequently—usually every five minutes. The campus atmosphere is vibrant and offers excellent sports facilities, including a modern gym, a swimming pool, indoor basketball courts, and both indoor and outdoor tennis courts. In addition, there are several libraries across campus that are very modern and well equipped, including iMac workstations and collaborative study spaces. I would describe Emory University as having a strong hustle culture for several reasons. First, many students invested heavily in their high school careers to gain admission to prestigious universities like Emory. The university consistently ranks among the top 25 schools in the United States, and in 2025, its BBA program was ranked 12th nationwide. Academically, almost all courses are graded on a curve, meaning that final grades depend on relative performance rather than absolute scores. For example, achieving 90% does not automatically guarantee an A. That said, if your primary goal is simply to pass, the workload is manageable, as failing is relatively uncommon—the lowest grades are usually in the C+/C range. Classes are highly interactive, and professors place strong emphasis on participation, which often accounts for 15–20% of the final grade. Overall, the course structure is quite similar to WU Vienna, including group projects, homework assignments, class participation, presentations, midterms, and final exams.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transportation in Atlanta is relatively good compared to many other major U.S. cities. During the semester, the Emory shuttle system is usually sufficient for getting around campus and nearby areas. However, for activities farther away from the university, using Uber or Lyft is almost unavoidable. Ride prices are generally lower than in Austria, which makes this a convenient option. In my personal experience, Atlanta is much safer than many stereotypes suggest. I felt safe wherever I went, and as long as you behave normally and stay aware of your surroundings, there is little reason for concern. Compared to cities like Los Angeles or New York, Atlanta felt noticeably calmer to me. There is a lot to do in Atlanta. The city offers a vibrant nightlife and cultural scene, and for those who are 21+, places like Magic City are well known and part of the local culture. Traveling is also very convenient, as the world’s busiest airport—Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport—is located only about 20–25 minutes from campus. On campus, there are many opportunities to stay active, including a wide range of sports facilities and student sport clubs you can join. If you prefer watching sports instead, you can support the Emory Eagles or attend professional games in the city, such as the Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Falcons (NFL), or Atlanta Braves (MLB).

6. Testimonial

What can I say? These were the best four months of my young life. I had the incredible opportunity to study at Emory University, one of the top universities in the United States, while also traveling extensively across the country. During my exchange, I visited San Diego four times, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, and Miami—experiences I will never forget. In addition, I was able to visit family members who live in the U.S., which was surprisingly easy thanks to the excellent flight connections. From Atlanta, there are usually direct flights to almost any destination, making spontaneous and affordable travel very accessible. I was also lucky enough to experience major American holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, which made the stay even more special. If you decide to live in Atlanta, you will rarely need a heavy jacket—the weather is generally very pleasant. Summers can be quite humid, but overall the climate is enjoyable throughout most of the year. While living in the U.S. is definitely more expensive than in Europe or Asia, and not everything is perfect, the experience itself is truly priceless. Studying in the U.S. is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The experience genuinely feels like something out of the movies people talk about. Money will always come back—but the memories you create during an exchange like this will last forever. I am certain that I will cherish this time for the rest of my life.